Lesson 16

As Christian left the town of Vanity where his companion, Faithful, had give his life as a martyr for God, he was thoughtful and sad.  He missed Faithful, and he could not keep from thinking of all the things he had seen Faithful suffer--the whip, the sword and the fire.  He thought then of the crown that Faithful had received and of his entrance into glory.

He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see a young man from the city hastening after him.  This young man soon overtook him and said, "I would like to go with you.  My name is Hopeful. It was Hopeless before you and Faithful came to our town, but I saw the power of the Gospel in your lives and I believe that your Savior is the only Savior, and I can stay no longer in the city of Vanity.  I have taken a new name, for now I have a hope, sure and steadfast, a hope that is eternal.  It is founded on the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus."

"Oh," said Christian, "I am so glad to hear that.  I am glad to have you go with me.  I am sure we can be of help and comfort to each other."

And so they were.  They traveled happily together.  Soon they met a man named By-ends, who went with them for a little while, but the three of them could not go far together, for their beliefs and lives were no in harmony.  By-ends said that he liked religion as long as it was popular, but when it met opposition he was ready to forsake it and find something that  was in favor with the people.

They came to a place called Money Hill, where a man named Demas was inviting all who passed to make themselves rich in his silver mine.  Hopeful was a little inclined to listen to him until Christian reminded him that a "man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses," and that the love of money and the desire to possess often ensnare the Christian, so Christian discouraged his desire to delay the journey.

Soon they came to a very lovely meadow.  A beautiful little river flowed quietly through it and trees bearing delicious fruit grew along the banks..

Christian and Hopeful drank the refreshing water.  They ate the delicious fruit and then lay down to rest on the soft, thick grass.  When they awoke, they felt rested.  Then they sang the beautiful Psalm which many boys and girls have learned:

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul:
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake..."
--Psalm 23

This was a resting time for the two pilgrims.  Several days they stayed in the lovely meadow.  As they drank again and again from the cool, quiet river they thought how like the Word of God it was.  How it cleansed their lives and refreshed their spirits!

"And," added Hopeful,  "the fruit which we have been enjoying is like the blessings of God which He gives to us abundantly.  No wonder David sang long ago, 'Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.' "

"Yes," replied Christian, "and this lovely, soft meadow where we have rested so sweetly is like the great and precious promises of God, on which we can rest in perfect peace and assurance."

So they enjoyed their journey through the great meadows and rejoiced in their salvation and in all God's blessings to them.  All too soon, however, these pleasant days ended, and, once beyond the border of the meadow, they found their pathway as rocky and rough as it had been smooth  and easy.  Their feet had grown tender and now every step was painful.

Christian read from his roll: "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies" (Psalm 25:10).  In the comfort of that verse they continued for some time.  They knew that if God led them over a rough place He had a purpose in it and that He makes no mistakes.  Eventually the experience would prove to be their blessing although they could not understand why it was so.

As the rough road continued they thought more and more of the hardness of the way and less and less of God's guidance and presence in it.  They began to grumble and became discouraged.  The more they complained the rockier the way became.

When they saw a little path that ran through the meadow on the left side of their path they were attracted by it.  It would be easy to reach, for there was a stile in convenient place.

"Oh," said Christian, "see that nice path!  Maybe we could walk in that for a little way and rest our feet."

"I'm afraid we shouldn't," objected Hopeful.  "perhaps it would lead us out of our way."

"I don't believe it will," said Christian. "See, it lies right along the side of the road.  It goes in the same direction."

"But see the sign," said Hopeful.  "It says 'By-path Meadow,' and I really don't think we should go, Christian."

"Oh, come on," insisted Christian.  "It is much easier walking over there and goes right along our way.  I'm sure it will be all right."

So Hopeful consented and they crossed the stile to walk along the edge of By-path Meadow.  Just ahead of them they saw a man whose name was Vain-confidence.  They hailed him and asked where the path led.

"To the Celestial City," he replied.

"See," said Christian to Hopeful, "I told you it was all right for us to come this way."

So they followed Vain-confidence and did not notice that the path led very gradually from the straight and narrow way on which they should have walked.  Soon the night came upon them--a very dark night.  They could not see the path ahead of them, nor the man they were following.  Still they went on, for they did not know what else to do.  Suddenly they heard a great noise as if a man had fallen into a deep pit.  Frightened, they called to their companion, but the only answer they received was a feeble groan that seemed to come from far away.  Then there was silence. 

"Where are we now?" asked Hopeful.

Christian had no answer, for he realized that he had gone out of the right way and that he had taken Hopeful with him.  He was sorry and ashamed but that did them no good.

How easy it is today for Christians to get into "By-path Meadow," to do those things in which there seems to be no harm but which lead, slowly but surely, away, from the things of God.  Gradually Bible reading becomes less interesting, prayer becomes less important, and the presence of God becomes less real in our lives, until suddenly we find ourselves far from the right way and without the joy of our salvation.

"Thou art our Counselor,
Our Pattern, and Our Guide,
And Thou our Shepherd art;
Ah, keep us near thy side;
Nor let our feet e'er turn astray,
To wander in the crooked way."
--Isaac Watts